Are you an active athlete or do you play any sports? Maintaining an active lifestyle is great, but you may be at risk of sports-related dental injuries.

Every year thousands of people end up at the emergency room with fractured or knocked out teeth due to injury during contact sports. If you have an active lifestyle, mouthguards are a great way to prevent dental injuries and protect your teeth.

Mouthguards are most commonly used by those participating in high risk sports like football, martial arts or hockey. Anyone participating in sports that could cause impact to the teeth should wear a mouthguard.

What are mouthguards?

A mouthguard is a flexible device that will typically cover the upper teeth and will protect not only the teeth but also the soft tissues of the lips, inner cheek, and tongue. When you visit Alphington Dental Care, we will recommend a mouthguard that will ideally suit your specific requirements.

Custom-fitted mouthguard are the best option for protecting the teeth against damage. They are made to fit snugly over the teeth so they are comfortable to wear and are unlikely to dislodge if an impact injury occurs.

Stock mouthguards available from chemists are made at home by boiling in water and biting in place. They are a cheap solution but provide less reliable protection then a custom-made guard so should not be used in high risk situations.

Caring for your mouthguard

It is easy to care for your mouthguard. Just follow these simple instructions.

• Every time the mouthguard is used you must rinse it before and after you wear it. It is best to brush with a toothbrush and warm soapy water as often as possible.
• When not being worn you should store your mouthguard in a container that has sufficient ventilation to allow the guard to dry.
• Do not leave the mouthguard in hot water or outside in the sun because it could melt.
• Once in a while, check the mouthguard for signs of damage. If you find any wear and tear bring in to see if it needs to be replaced.

If you are an active participant in sports or martial arts, there is no question that you should wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth. Just come in for a consultation and we will be able to advise you on the best way forward.

Before you leave Alphington Dental Care with your new mouthguard, you will receive detailed instructions on how to wear and look after it but if you have any questions you can always call us and we will be happy to help you out.

Call us for an appointment today.